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LONDON -- Chelsea paid tribute to Frank Lampard on Saturday as the club's all-time top scorer was presented to Stamford Bridge at half-time of the Blues' 3-1 win over Swansea City. Lampard entered the pitch to a standing ovation from Chelsea supporters and respectful applause from the travelling Swansea fans, making his first appearance at Stamford Bridge since watching the Blues' 1-0 win over West Brom on Dec. 17 from an executive box. The 38-year-old, who announced his retirement from professional football earlier this month and has been working with the Chelsea academy at Cobham to fulfill some of the practical elements of his UEFA B License coaching course, then addressed the crowd to chants of "Super Frank Lampard." "I never got a chance to say goodbye properly for whatever reason and I regret that," Lampard said via a microphone after walking a lap of the Stamford Bridge pitch. "I want to thank the club for letting me do it. "All my special memories of this place -- and I feel them right now -- are all our memories. I couldn't have done it without you. We couldn't have done it without you. "Thank you very much. I really appreciate everything and I love you all." A collage of Lampard's finest Chelsea moments adorned a special cover of the matchday programme and in his captain's column, John Terry said of his former teammate: "For me he is the best to ever play for this club and getting to see first-hand the work he put in day in, day out at training and in games, was an absolute pleasure. "I wish you all the best for your next steps in life and football. A proper Chelsea legend. Love ya, Lamps." Chelsea are keen to offer Lampard a role at the club if he decides he wants to return, but after the match Antonio Conte insisted that the 38-year-old should be given time to decide what his next career move is going to be. Asked whether Lampard could return to Chelsea, Conte said: "For me it's very difficult to reply. The club must reply. Frank Lampard, for sure, is a legend for Chelsea. We must have great respect for him and his career, above all for the man. "I don't know him very well, but I've heard about him. He's a great man. For sure, for him it's important to understand that, after the career, what is the type of role he wants to do in football, but he can work and do everything in football."
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